Sorting the Part list.

[Nuprin Feelgood]

New to the game, only a few weeks so far, but absolutely loving it!

After playing the game for a couple weeks, I went ahead and scoured the spaceport for all of the best mods.

I've got about 500 parts in my folder now and it was getting a bit frustrating (and counter to my AR/OCD nature) trying to find the part I wanted in the builder.

So I set out to sort the folder to my needs. I offer this information for those who don't realize it...the parts load into the game in the order in which they sit in the folder.

So, using a simple and free program called File Renamer Basic I set about adding a simple coded prefix to every folder, to influence the load order into the game.

The aforementioned program makes it easy to scan the contents of a folder, select items and then add a sequential prefix system to the folder names.

I used a six digit system that categorized the parts by category/subcategory/item# with two digits for each.

I set up the renamer to place numbers by increments of 10, leaving room for future insertion of new parts.

Any system of numbers or letters could work, my point is that by using a simple renaming program, the process was relatively easy.

All in all, the process took about two hours. In the end I now have a parts screen in the builder that is a breeze to navigate, with things grouped just as I like them.

I found only one instance in which the renaming of the part folder caused an issue. This was with the ISA Map sat parts. The plugin seems to look for the part folder to find the artwork for the application icons. SO changing the name prevented the icons from being properly accessed. Easily remedied by just not altering those two particular part folders.

It is also worth saying, that the renaming of the folders in no way affected existing ships or flights in progress.

For others who may be facing similar frustration at finding what they want in an ever expanding parts list, I hope this info is helpful.

Now on to conquer the stars. Happy launching!

[Capt'n Skunky]

Even better, there is a plugin to handle this

http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/editor-part-filter/

Cheers!

Capt'n Skunky

KSP Community Manager

[Nuprin Feelgood]

I use the part filter, but that was not all of what I wanted.

So it may not be 'even better'. It is a very useful mod to be sure.

I wanted, for example, all my engines to be in one place and grouped by size.

Just typing 'engine' into the part filter didn't accomplish all that I wanted.

Also having to constantly type in the editor and then clear it slowed me down in the builder.

I also was able to prioritize things to my liking. For example, when I go to the propulsion tab, the first thing on the list is a fuel line.

On the structural tab the first things are struts. Those simple and repeatedly used items were previously a 'next page' click away.

For some, the parts filter is of great use and does what they need.

Others may wish to sort their folder like I did.

That's the beauty of a sandbox game, you can do as you like.

[Ringer]

Nuprin, are you talking about changing those subcategory numbers in the parts' CFG files? I've been meaning to change some of the 'subcategory' variables, I assume this is how the KSP editor orders the parts, and for parts with the same subcategory, they just appear in load order I guess.

[Nuprin Feelgood]

Ringer.. No. I am talking about changing the name of the folders in the parts folder.

This, in turn, changes the order in which they load into the game, and by consequence how they show up in the parts tabs in the VAB or SPH.

The 'sub category' function in the cfg file does not have a function at present.

[JumpsterG]

I don't mean to revive this thread if it is inactive, but just in case anyone else happens across it while looking for a tool to help, here is a link to my Part Order Utility, which uses the same principle of renaming the parts folders with prefixes to change the order in the editor lists:

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/27541-Part-Order-Utility-Kerbal-Orderly-Parts

And another one I found by Atanvaryar:

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/24690-WIP-Part-sorting-mod